Submit your bid: GWR launches latest Customer and Community Improvement Fund in London and the Thames Valley

Following the success of last year’s scheme, in which GWR supported 83 projects totalling £1m, the train operator is inviting funding bids for customer and community projects.

As part of its National Rail Contract with the Department for Transport, GWR is committed to supporting schools, colleges, councils, community and other not-for-profit organisations by aiding a number of initiatives.

RC Vision, which promotes Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, and diversity and inclusion through radio control car racing, used a grant of nearly £25,000 to give 80 young people from Hillingdon an introduction to race engineering.

Working alongside young professional engineers from the rail industry, the young people will learn about vehicle dynamics and race car set-up and the similarity between the skills required and jobs in engineering.

A grant for £18,600 enabled Buckinghamshire Council to explore ways of improving access for those walking, wheeling, cycling or taking the bus to Bourne End railway station.

A feasibility study commissioned by the council will consider the provision of a new safe crossing to the station, improved accessibility and the creation of a new bus interchange.

In Reading, the Greater Change Foundation used a grant of £21,400 to support a multi-agency project designed to reduce homelessness.

Contactless devices have been placed in and around the city centre to divert funds away from individuals into the charities actively working to end homelessness, helping those most entrenched rough sleepers to move forward.

Now GWR is inviting bids for 2023-24. Schemes should show a link to the railway and address an area of social need or provide a community benefit. They should reach completion by the end of February 2024.

Applications must be submitted via an online portal on GWR’s website here, where there are also guidance notes on making a successful bid. All proposals must be submitted by Thursday 25 May.

GWR East Growth Manager Ed Goose said:

“The Customer and Community Improvement Fund is a fantastic opportunity for us to invest in projects that really make a difference to our customers and communities at a local level.

“We are particularly interested in schemes that benefit customers, increase rail travel, encourage carbon reduction, connect communities, people and places, support economic growth, promote inclusion and diversity, and educational programmes that support careers in rail or increase awareness and experience of public transport and rail safety.

“This year we are also particularly looking for projects that help veterans, long term unemployed and women and girls.

“A good bid will show a strong level of community involvement and support and the proposal will have benefits that last beyond the duration of the project.”

Bids can vary in size, but GWR is particularly looking for small and medium bids to maximise the number of communities it can help.